Heroin contaminated with anthrax may be in Reading

Deadly anthrax could be heading towards Reading in a contaminated batch of heroin which is making its way down the country.

Drug and alcohol teams are working with drug users in an effort to stop them from taking the anthrax-contaminated heroin

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Deadly anthrax could be heading towards Reading in a contaminated batch of heroin which is making its way down the country.

Drug and alcohol teams are working with drug users in an effort to stop them from taking the anthrax-contaminated heroin which has already infected people in Scotland, Blackpool and, most recently, in Oxford.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said most heroin finds its way into the UK from Afghanistan, through Europe to Germany and then arrives in the north of England or Scotland before spreading out over the country.

The infected batch arrived in Scotland in the summer and is now making its way towards Reading. Two people died after taking anthrax-infected heroin in Blackpool in August and September, a drug user from Scotland and another from Wales are recovering, as is the person from Oxford.

Following the latest infection on Friday, an HPA spokesman said: “There is a contaminated batch now in the Thames Valley corridor which has come down from the north.”

Dr Éamonn O’Moore, director of the HPA’s Thames Valley Health Protection Unit, said: “In light of this recent case in Oxford, we have advised local Drug and Alcohol Action Teams to talk to their service users about the risk of anthrax infection.

“Injecting drug users often experience skin infection but we strongly advise them not to ignore signs such as redness or excessive swelling around injection sites, or other symptoms of general illness such a high temperature, chills, severe head-aches or breathing difficulties.

“They should seek medical advice quickly because we have concerns that some batches of heroin in circulation in Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley may be contaminated with anthrax. Early treatment with antibiotics is essential for a successful recovery.”

Reading Borough Council’s drug and alcohol team is working with known drug users to help them stay clear of the infected batch.

Council spokesman Derek Plews said: “We also pass on information to related services such as hostels, and to our partner agencies including health, police and probation.”

HPA’s Dr Fortune Ncube, an expert in infections among people who inject drugs, said: “People who use drugs may become infected with anthrax when the heroin they use is contaminated with anthrax spores.

“This could be a source of infection if injected, smoked or snorted – there is no safe route for consuming heroin or other drugs that may be contaminated with anthrax spores.”

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a very rare but serious bacterial infection caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis. The disease occurs most often in wild and domestic animals in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe; humans are rarely infected.

How does anthrax affect us?

Depending on how infection is acquired it is through the skin, inhalation or ingestion.

How has anthrax affected drug users?

It is likely they contracted anthrax from using heroin contaminated by anthrax spores.

How long can you be infected before showing any symptoms?

It varies from one day to eight weeks. However, symptoms usually develop within 48 hours.